3 




BOYS iP«r GIRLS 



I^n"bli8l]eei "by 

G. J.WYMAN. 

Dayton, Ohio. 

18S3. 




J^ 



\^ 






BOYS AND GIRLS. 



\M 




PUBLISHED BY 

G./, WYiMAN, DAYTON, OHIO. 

1883. 






Copyright, 1883, 
r G. J. WYMAN, 
All rights reserved. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Jonrnf-y of Life. Illuatrntcd Susie McNeal 5 

Shall we Count the Days of Youth as Lost? Susie McNeal 6 

True to God, Self, ami Country Susie McNeal 7 

The Rum Seller Susie McNeal 8 

At Set of Sun Atlantic Journal 11 

The Gambler's Wife Coates 11 

Memories Lillias Cram 13 

What two Little Girls can tell About Jesus. Illustrated Susie McNeal 13 

Sweet Angel of Peace Susie McNeal 15 

Twilight Musings. Illustrated Susie McNeal Ifi 

Doubt Dispelled Lillias Cram 17 

In Memory of Mrs. S N. Moulton Lillias Cram 18 

Snow-Flakes. Illustrated Susie McNeal 19 

Song and Recitation. IllKstraied Susie McNeal 21 

Memorial Susie McNeal 21 

In Memoriam J. A. Woods 26 

The Rum Maniac Allison 26 

Hours of Dark Temptation Susie McNeal 29 

Light in Darkness Susie McNeal 29 

In Memory of a Daughter Susie McNeal 30 

Annie Laurie Author unknown 31 

Lead me All the Way Susie McNeal 32 

Beautiful Snow. Illuxinited Author's name unknown 33 

Rum Did It Lillias Cram 36 

The Snow-Storm. Illustrated Mrs. Seba Smith 39 

The productions of Susie McNeal and Lillias Cram were written for Gathered PEAELa. 



PREFACE.i 




NE year ago I undertook 
To gatlier pearls to make a Ijook. 
The year is past, and now I find 
A book just suited to my mind : 
pj-oductions old, productions new, 
You will find Ijoth good and true. 

Respectfullj^. 

(1. J. AVYMAN. 





SElje Sournci] of Clfe. 

The world is an ocean deep and wide, 
Our lives are the ships we sail; 

Only the .stoutest can stem the tide, 
And weather the wintry gale. 

Many start out in the morning fair, 
Uut are soon by the tempest tossed; 

For want of a hand to guide them there 
Are wrecked and forever lost. 



But those who take for a guide, 

Jesus, the sinner's friend. 
Will safely o'er the billows ride. 

Till they reach their journey's end. 

Susie McNeal. 



GATHERfit) PEARLS. 

Sljall wt Count tlje IDatjs of IJautlj as Cost? 

As the summer daj^s of j^outh pass by, 
And our nobler thoughts shall come, 

Shall we count the days of youth as lost. 
And sigh for all we have left undone? 

Shall we look back with vain regrets 

On the Avritten pages of our life. 
And weep o'er the blots and sad mistakes 

When first we entered the holy strife ? 

With tearful eyes and saddened heart, 
Shall we our weary steps retrace, 

Until cast down with fear and shame 
We hide the loving Savior'.:, face? 

Snail y(Ri and I then count as lost 
Those few sweet golden liappy daj^s. 

When nobler thoughts within us rise, 
And acknowledge God in all his ways? 

Ah, no! our youth must sacred be, 
For then through our sins and fears, 

We grasped the loving Savior's hand, 
Although blinded by our tears. 

Mistakes and failures mark the way. 
But we can still look back and smile ; 

For by his blood we were then made clean, 
And he loved us all the while. 

The days of youth will then seem dear, 

Though we faltered by the way ; 
'Twas then we learned to know his voice, 

And his commands sought to obey. 

Though nobler thoughts may come. 
And fill our hearts with pure desires, 

We shall look with reverence on these days, 
When first were kindled the sacred fires. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 

As the sweet days pass, and years roll on, 

You and I may never meet again. 
Until the names are read m the book of life 

Of all who trusted the Lamb once slain. 

I pray that we both may faithful be, 

Until we meet in the city above; 
When we shall see our Savior as he is. 

And know the fullness of his love. 

Susie McNeal. 



®rue to %oh, Sslf, aub Countrtj. 

Be true to God, your country, and yourself. 
Bravely face the dangers of each day; 

And seek to follow liberty and truth. 
For there your Savior leads the way. 

Be true to God, for you receive from him 
Fresh proof each day of his pure love; 

Follow his voice through the darkest day. 
For it leads to bright mansions above. 

Be true to your country while justice reigns, 
For the voice of yoav God you then obey ; 

Defending home, liberty, and truth. 
Asking first his blessing on the way. 

Be true to yourself, and thus fulfill 

Your part of God's great plan ; 
And help carry out his great design 

Of a just and noble man. 

Susie McNeal. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 

It was a snowy winter morning, 

As I started out from home; 
My wife and children at the window, 

Watched me as I hastened on. 

My dainty fairy, blue-eyed Belle, 

Clapped her hands with fond delight, 

As she watched the tiny snow-flakes 
Make my coat so purely white. 

And my laughing, dimpled Neddie, 
From his perch on mamma's knee, 

Through the naughty, saucy snow-flakes, 
Threw sweet kisses out at me. 

While my gentle, loving wife 

Sat with fair, though thoughtful brow, 
As she watched me struggling bravely 

Against the wintry wind and snow. 

Thus a fair and pleasant picture 

Was printed on my heart that morn, 

And I thought with these to love me, 
Why need I fear cold or storm. 

Faster, faster came the snow-flakes, 

Flying in my face and eyes; 
When all at once my footsteps slackened 

As I heard a child's low cries. 

I quickly hastened toward the sound. 
Which from a sheltered doorway came, 

And found a pale-faced, sobbing child — 
The cold wind piercing her tender frame. 

In my arms I gently raised her. 
From the cold, wet step of stone; 

And in kindly tones I asked her 
Why she was not safe at home. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 

Then the little hancs clasped tighter, — 
Baby hands so small and frail, — 

"Father sent me out for liquor, 

My hands were cold; I lost the pail. 

"I dare not go to him again, 

For his anger will be great, I know, 
And if it were not for dear mamma, 
I would stay out here in the snow. 

"And perhaps God's holy angel 

Would come down in all the storm. 
And take me up into heaven. 
Where I know 'tis always warm, 

"But I know my mamma wants me, 
For soon she's going away, 
To stay and watch with dear papa, 
And to help him find the way. 

" For she says that once my papa 
Was as kind as other men; 
That he loved us both as dearly, 
Only rum has crazed his brain." 

Then the little head bends lower. 
As the snow-flakes madly whirl, 

And she whispers, oh, so gently, 

"Mister, have you got a little girl?" 

And I shivered as I answered, 
"Yes; I have a girl and boy;" 

And I contrasted this poor baby 

With my children, my pride and joy. 

I ran, hastening quickly onward, 

For I knew the father of this little one. 

God forgive me if he can: 

'Twas I who sold him all his rum. 



10 GATHERED PEARLS. 

Soon I reached the attic chamber, 
Where was cast their lonely lot, 

And with quivering heart-strings saw 
The ruin wliich my trade had wrought. 

There the drunken father lay, 

Like a beast upon the floor; 
But more like one did I feel 

As I stepped within that door. 

As I heard that mother's prayer — 
She so near an untimely grave, — 

Praying for her child and husband, 
And that God would mercy have 

On the man who sold the rum, 
That had blighted all her life; 

That his companion might be spared 
The shame of being a drunkard's wife. 

Sad, sad indeed, is the drunkard's home, 
But its sadness could not compare 

With the anguish I, the rum-seller, felt 
As I looked on in utter despair. 

I would rather had curses on my head. 
Than that dying woman's prayer; 

For all I could do to make amends 
Would not keep the mother there. 

She was dying now with a broken heart, 

Caused by that cursed rum; 
And I a murderer stood condemned 

For the work which I had done. 

And I vowed to God in that awful home, 
As 1 thought of my children and wife, 

That I would fight rum wherever I could, 
Yes, even with my life. 

Susie McNeal. 



GATHERER PEARLS. U 

:At Sft of SmT. 

If we sit down at set of sun, 

And count the things that we have done. 

And counting find 
One self-denying act, one word, 
That eased the heart of him who heard; 

One ghmce, most kind, 
That felt like sunshine where it went. 
Then we may count the day well spent. 

But if through all the livelong day 
We've eased no heart by yea or nay; 

If through it all 
We've done no thing that we can trace, 
That brought the sunshine to a face; 

No act, most small, 
That helped some soul, and nothing cost, 
Then count that day as worse than lost. 

— Atlantic Joiwmml. 



Orije 05ambUr'6 ^ife. 



Dark is the night! how dark! no light! no fire! 
Cold, on the hearth the last faint sparks expire! 
Shivering she watches by the cradle side, 
For him who pledged her love — last year a bride! 

"Hark! 'tis his footstep! no— 'tis past: 'tis gone: 
Tick! — tick! — Hoav wearily the time crawls on! 
Why should he leave me thus? He once was kind! 
And I believed 'twould last — how mad! — how blind! 



GATHERED PEARLS. 

"Rest thee, my babe! — Rest on! — 'Tis hunger's cry! 
Sleep! — for there is no food! the fonnt is dry! 
Famine and this wearying work have done, 
My heart must break! — and thou!" The clock strikes one! 

"Hark! 'tis the dice-box! Yes, he's there, he's there, 
For this ! for this he leaves me to despair ! 
Leaves love! leaves truth! his wife! his child! for what? 
The Avan ton's smile — the villain and the sot! 

"Yet I'll not curse him! no! 'tis all in vain! 
'Tis long to wait, but sure he'll come again! 
And I could starve and bless him, but for you, 
My child! — his child! — fiend!" The clock strikes two! 

"Hark! how the sign-board creaks! The blast howls by! 
Moan ! moan ! A dirge swells through the cloudy sky ! 
Ha! 'tis his knock! He comes! he comes once more! 
'Tis but the lattice flaps! My hope is o'er. 

"Can he desert me thus? He knows I stay 
Night after night in loneliness to pray 
For his return — and yet he sees no tear! 
No! no! it can not be. He will be here. 

"Nestle more closely, dear one, to my heart! 
Thou'rt cold! thou'rt freezing! but we will not part. 
Husband! — I die! — Father!— It is not he! 
O God! protect my child!" The clock strikes three! 

They're gone! they're gone! the glimmering spark has fled, 

The wife and child are numbered with the dead! 

On the cold hearth, outstretch'd in solemn rest. 

The child lies frozen on its mother's breast! 

The gambler came at last — but all was o'er — 

Dead silence reign'd around. The clock struck four ! 

— Coates. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 13 

^Memories. 

Back through tlio smiling vista 

Of golden years I see 
Days of joy and gladness, 

When my heart was light and free. 

A crowd of memories haunt me, 

Visions of the shadowy past; 
Days of brightest sunshine — 

Too bright to always last. 

And then through the gloomy vista 

Of later years I see 
Days so dark and dreary, 

They never brought light to me. 

And now as the twilight deepens, 
Sending its shade through my room. 

Those memories are stealing o'er me 
Of days of darkest gloom. 

But I know when the morning brightens, 

And the glorious sun I see, 
A memory of the days that were earlier 

Will sweetly come back to me. 

LiLLiAs Cram. 



^Ijat too £ittle OBirls can (Hell About ^esus. 

FIRST GIRL. 

I can tell the story again and again, 

Of God's great love for the children of men ; 

Of Christ in a lowly manger born; 

Of joy to the world on that glorious morn. 

SECOND GIRL. 

I can tell of the suffering our Savior bore. 
Of a cruel crown of thorns he wore ; 
How he died on the cross a death of shame, 
That we might wear his glorious name. 



14 



GATHERED PEARLS. 



FIRST GIRL. 

I can tell of the stone that was rolleil away 
From the sepiileher where our Savior hiy; 
Of the women who came at early dawn, 
And founil with grief that their Lord Avas gone. 




SECOND GIRL. 

I can tell of the message, to women first given, 
To tell that their crucified Savior had risen; 
To tell the disciples whom they should see 
To me^'t their dear Lord in Galilee. 

FIRST GIRL. 

I can tell of the ascension of Christ to heaven, 
And the sweet promise to all he has given, 
That Jesus has gone to ]>repare us a home, ^ 
For all who would gather around his throne. 

BOTH TOGETHER. 

Do you wonder that we tell the story, 
And that in his name we glory. 
When we have so much to tell 
Of him who doeth all things well. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 



15 



To his name be all the praise, 
Who has kept us all our days, 
He died for us the death of shame, 
We'll spread abroad his precious name. 

Composed and arranged by Susie McNeal. 



Sroeet Angel of $)eace. 

Sweet angel of peace, enter I pray. 

And make my heart thy home; 
Drive all evil thoughts away. 

And bid gentle thoughts to come. 
Hadst thou been here when the tempter came, 

He the battle never would have v/on; 
But would have retreated in fear and shame 

For deeds which he has done. 

sweet angel, do not leave me, 
But listen to my prayer; 

1 will be guided ever by thee 
Every way and everywhere. 

Thou art a messenger from God, 

To soothe the human soul that grieves; 

To smoothe the path for man to tread, 
And gather up life's withered leaves. 

The holy comforter art thou, 

By the loving Savior given; 
By thy presence I know now 

Something of the joys of heaven. 

With thy aid the pearly gates 

I see standing just ajar; 
And it gives me strength to wait, 

Though I see its beauty still afar. 

But guided ever by thy voice 

I shall learn to trust and wait; 
And in darkness will rejoice 

Till thou shalt lead me through the gate. 

Susie McNeal. 



16 



(iATHEUEI) PEARLS. 




totligljt i^uQings. 



I sat alone in my chamber, 

As the twilight gathered around, 

Alone with my God in the stillness, 
Its beauty unmarred by a sound. 

I thought of the years now past, 
With joy and sorrow fraught, 

And wondered what I had done. 
What work for the Master wrought. 

As I thought of the wasted years, 
My tears I could scarcely restrain; 

My heart was grieved and sad 

When I thought I heard my name. 

As I listened a soft, low voice 
Fell pleadingly on my ear: 

Look not back on wasted time. 

But work through the coming year. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 

Sow the seed with patient hand, 

Nor stop for idle dreaming, 
Be content to work in harvest-time, 

Though only at the gleaning. 

Thou knowest well the value 

Of all thy wasted years; 
So waste no more repining 

On fruitless prayers and tears. 

'Tis the Savior talks with thee. 

And bids thee sow the seed, 
Knowing not where it may fall; 

It may meet a brother's need. 

Susie McNeal. 



Nothing breaks the dreary silence 
Of the night so dark and still. 

Save the west wind sighing faintly, 
And the murmuring of the rill. 

And the leaves so softly falling 

In their graves with scarce a sound — 

Dying, dead, in all their beauty 
On the hard and frozen ground. 

So they're lying, all my loved ones. 
In their graves so damp and chill, 

And I'm left to wander lonely 
In the night so calm and still. 

Once to-day I almost doubted 

That a God has ever been; 
That this earth has had a Maker, 

And that death has come through sin. 



18 GATHERED PEARLS. 

For to me he gave a burden 

That I thought I could not bear, 

And it seemed he would not listen 
To my pleading, selfish prayer. 

But to-night I can not doubt him, 

As I stand here all alone. 
And view that vast and shining heaven. 

His everlasting star-lit throne. 

As I look far, far above me, 

Into infinite, awful space — 
Into the glorious, star-flecked heaven, 

I can see a Maker's face. 

And the moonlight floods a valley, 
Lying there- so peaceful, calm. 

And it breathes through all my spirit 
Glad, sweet peace of soothing balm. 

LiLLiAs Cram. 



Stt #Bmortj of jlr6. S. iL jEonltou, 

DiEi) Febeiaiiy 15, 1881. 

The long, long watch was o'er, 

The weary vigil done; 
The tired heart was pulseless, 

And life through death was won. 

We had watched in the early morning — 
We had watched through the sunny noon, 

When the sun was high in the heavens. 
For the angel 'twas coming soon. 

We had watched when the solemn twilight 

Was gathering shadows deep; 
We had watched when the breath of midnight 

Had hushed the world to sleep. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 

And all through the days we had watched, 
Through days of breathless pain, 

Still he lingered— the dark death-angel— 
And we gathered hope again. 

Yet he came one morning early. 

Came with his noiseless tread. 
We saw his grim, dark shadow, 

And we knew our mother was dead. 

Kind friends came in the morning. 

And spoke in whispers low; 
They folded the white hands gently, 

And brushed the hair from her brow. 

Then we left her. Our watch was over! 

No more fruitless hopes and fears, 
Only a dull, hard pain at our heart-strings, 

And our eyes full of unshed tears. 

Then came the last sad parting. 
As we stood by the casket side. 

Oh, she did look so peaceful 
And with that smile she died. 

And for the last, last time we left her. 

Left her to her peaceful rest; 
And we could but think in our sorrow 

That our Father knew the best. 



19 



LiLLiAs Cram. 



SnotD-ciFlakes. 



Beautiful, beautilul snow-flakes! 

Silently fluttering down; 
With a cloak of downy softness, 

Covering country and town. 



20 



GATHERED PEARLS. 



From out the snow-topped houses 

The tall chimneys peep, 
As grim sentinels in the snowy whiteness, 

Their silent vigil keep. 

The whole country around 

Seems by a common impulse to be stilled; 
The white-winged messengers silently working 

Till their mission is fulfilled. 

Till by their patient work 

The whole country seems to be, 

In its snow-white garments, 
One vast field of purity. 




All the trees and bushes 

Receive alike their share, 
Until made white and beautiful 

Are their branches brown and bare. 

And they look like spraj's of coral, 
Gathered from the ocean's strand; 

And I view in admiration the work 
Of a loving "Father's hand." 

Swiftly and silently the snow-flakes go, 
Over valley and hill with a resistless will, 

Stopping for neither friend or foe. 
They have a mission to fulfill: 

(Which only God and the angels know.) 



GATHERED PEARLS. 21 

As the beautiful snow-flakes 

From my window I see, 
I thank the dear Lord 

For his love toward me. 

Tov the beautiful world 

Which he has placed me in, 
And pray that I may be kept 

Unspotted from sin. 

Beautiful snow flakes, fit emblems are they 
Of Jesus, our Savior, the light and the way. 

Sweet emblems they are to me 
Of the Savior's love and purity. 

As the beautiful snow-flakes still I see, 
A sense of deep humility comes over me, 

And I pray God wherever I go 
The path before me be pure as the snow. 

Susie McNeal. 



Song anb liEcltatiou. 

SUNG. 

Jesus, lover of my soul, 
Let me to thy bosom fly. 

SPOKEN. 

Sung by happy childish voices, 

As they trip so lightly by. 
Singing sweetly words and music 

They little of their meaning heed. 
But their words will oft supply 

The comfort that some soul may need. 

Father, bless the little children, 
As their words so gently roll, 
■ Teach them all to know the meaning 
Of Jesus lover of my soul. 



22 GATHERED PEARLS 




SUNG. 

Jesus, lover of my soul, 

Let me to thy bosom fly. [_Repeat.'] 

SPOKEN. 

Sung with patient trust and sweetness 
By one that very soon must die; 

Singing softly words and music, 
All their meaning could she tell, 

Though so early God had called her, 
She could feel that all was well. 

"Jesus, help me bow," she murmured, 

As she felt the waters roll. 
As she died we heard her singing, 

"Jesus, lover of my soul." 

SUNG. 

Jesus, lover of my soul. 

Let me to thy bosom fly, [Repeat.} 

SPOKEN. 

Thus a loving mother sings 

As her darlings sleeping lie; 
Singing gentle words and music, 

As she watches them asleep. 
And she prays that this same Jesus 

Will her precious children keej). 



GATHERED PEARLS. 

And she prays that through life ever, 
Though the waters surging roll, 

They may know the only refuge, 
Jesus, lover of my soul. 



23 




SUNG. 



Jesus, lover of my soul. 

Let me to thy bosom fly. [Repeat.'] 



Thus sung an aged, happy couple, 
Whose days were passing swiftly by. 
Slowly singing, words and music. 

Joining hearts and voices ever, 
Thus they hoped to ever live, 

Until they reach the shining river. 



24 GATHERED PEARLS. 

Lovingly they wait together, 

To hear the river's welcome roll, 

Ever singing as they wait, 
"Jesus, lover of my soul." 

SUNG. 

Jesus, lover of my soul. 

Let me to thy bosom fly. [^Repeat.'] 



Should be the song of every one, 
'Though they should live or die; 
Sweeter will be the words and music, 

We shall love to sing them more and more, 
As we feel our feet are nearing 

Christ and the eternal shore. 

Strong and happy will our voices 

O'er the many waters roll, 
And we'll enter heaven singing, 

"Jesus, lover of my soul." 

SUNG. 

Jesus, lover of my soul. 
Let me to thy bosom fly. 

Susie McNeal. 



jEemorial. 

[These linos wero composed on the death of little Ellie, aged three ye.<\r8.] 

The gate of the city opened wide, 

And our darling enter'd in; 
From the noise of the world away. 

From the sorrow and the sin. 

We mourn that she has left us, 

But still our hearts rejoice 
That she is safe within the fold. 

And knows the Shepherd's voice. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 25 

As he gathers the himbs around him, 

And his loving care bestows; 
Oh, shall we not trust and love him ? 

For only Jesus knows. 

Oh, yes, he knows our weakness, 

And how our hearts must ache, 
As we long for a touch of baby hands 

Which we never more may take — 

Never more may take in ours. 

And kiss the dainty little palm. 
Oh, surely Jesus knows it all, 

And our troubled souls can calm. 

As we think of darling Ellie, 

We call to mind the sweet, pure face. 

Stamped with innocence and beauty. 
Full of childish joy and grace. 

Then we thank the loving Savior 

That within the city's wall 
She has found a habitation. 

Where no sorrows ever fall. 

Our hearts should, now be joyful, 

As we think of Ellie's home — 
The Father's house of many mansions — 

Where she waits until we come. 

It will only be a little while 

That we shall have to wait. 
When with joy we shall behold 

That bright city's open gate. 

And as we see our darling there 

Before the Savior's throne. 
We shall be glad she went before 

To give us a welcome home. 

Susie McNeal. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 

Sn #emoriam. 

The chastening rod we feel again — 
Once more the Lord hath spoken; 

We weep to-da}', for in our chain 
Another link is broken. 

But we will wipe our tears away, 

And humbly bear our sorrow; 
Although our friend is gone to-day, 

We'll meet again to-morrow. 

We'll kiss the hand that gave the blow 

By which the chain was riven. 
He only leaves his friends below 

To join with those in heaven. 

Forever free from toil and pain. 

At rest beyond the river; 
We will not wish him back again. 

Not dead, he lives forever. 

J. A. Woods. 



■ Say, doctor, may I not have rum 

To quench the burning thirst within? 
Here on this cursed bed I lie, 

And can not get one drop of gin. 
I ask not health, nor even life — 

Life! what a curse it's been to me! 
I'd rather sink in deepest hell 

Than drink again its misery. 

■ But, doctor, may I not have rum ? 

One drop is all I crave. 
Grant this small boon — I ask no more — 
Then I'll defy — yes, e'en the grave. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 27 

Then without fear I'll fold my arms, 
And bid the monster strike his dart, 

To haste me from this world of woe, 
And claim his own — this ruined heart. 

"A thousand curses on his head, 

Who gave me first the poison'd bowl. 
Who taught me first this bane to drink — 

Drink death and ruin to my soul. 
My soul! a cruel, horrid thought! 

Full well I know thy certain fate; 
With what instinctive horror shrinks 

The spirit from that awful state! 

"Lost — lost — I know forever lost! 

To me no ray of hope can come; 
My fate is sealed; my doom is — 

But give me rum ; I will have rum. 
But, doctor, don't you see him there? 

In that dark corner low he sits. 
See! how he sports his fiery tongue. 

And at me burning brimstone spits! 

"Go, chase him out. Look! here he comes. 

Now on my bed he wants to stay. 
He shan't be there. God! God! 

Go way, I say! go way! go way! 
Quick, chain me fast, and tie me down! 

There, now, — he clasps me in his arms! 
Down! — down the window! — close it tight: 

Say, don't you hear my wild alarms? 

"Say, don't you see this demon fierce? 
Does no one hear? Will no one come? 
Oh, save me! save me! I will give — 
But rum! I must have, will have rum! 



28 GATHERED PEARLS. 

Ah! now he's gone; once more I'm free. 

He — the boasting knave and liar- 
He said that he would take me off 

Down to — . But there! my bed's on fire! 



"Fire! water! help! come, haste — I'll die! 

Come, take me from this burning bed. 
The smoke — I'm choking — can not cry! 

There, now, it's catching at my head! 
But see! again that demon's come; 

Look! there he peeps through yonder crack. 
Mark how his burning eyeballs flash! 

How fierce he grins! What brought him back? 

*' There stands his burning coach of fire! 

He smiles and beckons me to come. 
What are those words he's written there? 

^In hell we never want for rum .' '" 
One loud, one piercing shriek was heard ; 

One yell rang out upon the air — 
One sound, and one alone, came forth — 

The victim's cry of wild despair. 

^'Why longer wait? I'm ripe for hell: 
A spirit's sent to bear me down. 
There in the regions of the lost 

I sure will wear a fiery crown. 
Damned, I know, without a hope! 

(One moment more, and then I'll come!) 
And there I'll quench my awful thirst 
With boiling, burning, fiery rum!" 

— Allison. 



GATHERED PBARLS. 29 

-flours of Dark temptation. 

In the hours of dark temptation, 

Guard me safely, Savior dear; 
Though I tread in dangerous pUices, 

Wilt thou follow ever near. 

Though I wander far awa}'. 

Thou wilt call me back again ; 
Though my steps may often falter, 

Thou dost still remain the same. 

Ever loving art thou, Jesus; 

Thou dost pity and forgive ; 
Teach me to follow thy example. 

And only to thy glory live. 

I have sinned, blessed Savior, 

And made many a sad mistake ; 
I would ask thee to forgive me 

Simply for tliy dear name's sake. 

Susie McNeal. 



Ctijljt in ©arknesQ. 

My pathway seemed lonely, 

No light could I see; 
The hand of my Savior 

Seemed taken from me. 

I groped on in darkness, 

Still hoping to find. 
Yet doubting the promise 

Which would bring peace to my mind. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 

The gloom gathered around me 

Still closer each day, 
And I plainly could see 

How I was drifting away. 

But Christ in his wonderful love 
Again spake to my heart of sin, 

Bade me again look ahove, 

And trust all my ways to him. 

He brought to my view the cross, 

And showed me his feet and his hands; 

And I heard his soft, sweet voice: 
"If ye love me keep my commands." 

"What are thy commands, my Lord?" 
With trembling voice I cry. 
Show me plainly in thy word, 
And to keep them I will try. 

"With all thy heart love thy God," 

Is the first command I give. 
The second, "Thy neighbor as thy self:" 
Know then that thou shalt live. 

Once more my Savior walks with me; 

He brightens all my way. 
And teaches me content to be. 

And hears me when I pray. 

Susie McNeal. 



3in jMeuuinj of a ©augljter. 

We smoothed her hair with loving hands, 

And our farewell kisses gave. 
Then she was borne from us away, 

And laid in the silent grave. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 31 

And we left her lying there. 

We could not feel that God was love, 
Until he sent his Comforter, 

Who bade us look above. 

Thus looking with the eye of faith 

We saw bright and fair — 
Heard the glad, sweet song of angels, 

And beheld our darling there. 

As we viewed the golden city, 

With its widely open'd gate. 
And the joys of those who enter'd, 

It gave us strength to longer wait. 

Then we knew 'twas not in anger 

That our God this trouble sent; 
But in love he asked of us 

The jewel which he lent. 

And we bowed in all submission 

To our holy Father's will; 
For we know, though he may chasten. 

He will love his children still. 

Susie McNeal. 



^nittc CiiuriB. 

Maxwelton braes are bonnie, 

Where early fa's the dew. 
And it's there that Annie Laurie 

Gie'd me her promise true — 
Gie'd me her promise true. 

Which ne'er forgot will be; 
And for bonnie Annie Laurie 

I'd lay me doune and dee. 



32 (FATHERED PEARLS. 

Her brow is like the snow-drift; 

Her throat is like the swan; 
Her face it is the fiiirest 

That e'er the sun shone on — 
That ever the sun shone on. 

And dark -blue is her ee; 
And for bonnie Annie Laurie 

I'd lay me doune and dee. 

Like dew on the gowan lying 

Is the fa' o' her fairy feet; 
And like the winds in summer sigliing, 

Her voice is low and sweet — 
Her voice is low and sweet. 

And she's a' the world to me; 
And for bonnie Annie Laurie 

I'd lay lue (Iduiic iind dee. 

— Author unknown. 



Crab mc all tl)c Wa\], 



Jesus, I would be thy child, 

Wilt thou teach me how to pray? 

Oh, thou sinless, undefiled, 
(jently lead me all tlie way. 

Let my mind be good and pure 
Make my spirit like thine own; 

Do not let wrong thoughts allure, 
And lead me from my home. 

Susie McNeal. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 33 

iBeantiful Snom. 

[Tlic author was a ^-oung lady twenty-two years old, who died in the Oinunereial Hos- 
i»l at Cincinnati, Oliio.] 

Ob!, the snow, the beautiful .snow. 
Filling tlie sky and the earth below ; 
Over the housetops, over the street, 
Over the heads of tiie people you meet. 
Daneing, 

Flirting, 

Skimming along. 
Beautiful snow! it eau do nothing wrong. 
Flying to kiss a tair lady"s eheek. 
Clinging to li|)s in a froliesome freak. 
Beautiful snow, from the lieaven above, 
Pure as an augel, gentle as love! 

Oh! the snow, tin' Ijeautiful snow, 
How the Hakes gather and laugh as they gd 
Whirling al)out in tlunr maddening fun; 
It plays in its glee with every one. 
Chasing. 

Laughing, 

Hurrying by, 
It lights on the faee, and it sparkles the eye, 
And the dogs with a bark and bound 
Snap at the crystals that eddy around — 
The town is alive and the heart is aglow, 
To welcome the coming of the beautiful snow! 

How wildly the crowd goes swaying along, 
Hailing each other \vith humor and song! 
How the gay sledges like meteors flash by, 
Bright for the moment, then lost to the eye. 
Ringing, 

Swinging, 

Dancing they go, 
Over the crust of the beautiful snow; 



34 



(iATHKRED PKAULS. 




GATHERED PEARLS. 35 

Snow SO pure when it falls from the sky, 
To be trampled in mud by the crowd running by, 
To be trampled and tracked by thousands of feet, 
Till it blends with the horrible filth in the street. 

Once I was pure as the snow — but I fell! 
Fell like the snow-flakes from heaven to hell; 
Fell to be trampled like snow in the street; 
Fell to be scoffed at, to be spit on and beat. 
Pleading, 

Cwrsing, 

Dreading to die; 
Selling my soul to whoever would buy, 
Dealing in shame for a morsel of bread, 
Hating the living and fearing the dead; 
Merciful God! have I fallen so low? 
And yet I was once like the beautiful snow! 

Once I was fair as the beautiful snow. 
With an eye like its crystal, a heart like its glow ; 
Flattered and sought for the charm of my face! 
Fatlier, 

Mother, 

Sister, all, 
God and myself, I've lost by the fall. 
The veriest wretch that goes shivering bv, 
Will make a wide swoop least I wander too nigh ; 
For all that is on or alwvc me I know, 
There is nothing that's pure as the beautiful snow. 

How strange it should be that the beautiful snow 
Should fall on a sinner with nowhere to go! 
How strange it should be when the night comes again, 
If the snow and the ice strike my desperate brain. 
Fainting, 

Freezing, 

Dying alone, 
Too wicked for prayer, too weak for a Tuoan 



36 



(iATHERED PEARLS. 



To ])e heard in the streets of the crazy town, 
(7one iDad in the joy of the snow coming down; 
To be and to die in my terrihk> woe, 
Witli a bed and a shroud of the l)eautiful snow. 




Hum Dt^ 2t. 

He was a (h'unkard's son, that l)eautiful boy, 
A\'ith his oj)en Itrow and his thoughtful face; 

In liis l)Oyish heart was an honest pride, 
Twas hard to bear a father's disgrace. 

They scoffed and jeered at the drunkard's boy, 
In his face they flung their jest and taunt; 

They hiughed at his torn and ragged clothes — 
They wei-e rich men's sons, they never knew want. 

lie tried to bear it for his mother's sake. 

Though tlieir words stabbed like a two-edged knife; 

For he thought of her trials more bitter than his, 
For she was a drunkard's wife. 



GATHERED PEARLS. 37 

Yes; a drunkard's wife in the fullest sense 

The words could ever convey. 
She toiled day and night fur her boy and the man 

She had promised to obey. 

Night after night she waited and watched, 

With a heart full of aching pain; 
Night after night she prayed to her God 

To make him a man again. 

For she loved him still, in spite of it all. 

Although she kept by his side 
For the sake of the boy she loved like her life, 

For he was her pride and joy. 

And every night her darling boy, 

For spite of cold or rain, 
Would follow his father to the tavern door. 

And wait for his coming again. 

There was a little corner where he used to sit, 
And watch and wait for his father to come 

From the dram-shop door with trembling step, 
And lead him safely home. 

'Twas midwinter, one bitter night, 

The child had waited in vain 
For his father's form at the tavern door, 

For his father's voice again. 

So he crept in the corner close by the wall. 
And the cold and chill away seemed to creep; 

A delicious warmth spread over his frame, 
He soon was fast asleep. 

In the early bovirs of the morning 

The father went reeling by, 
With staggering step and dizzy brain, 

Close to the place where his son did lie. 



38 GATHERED PEARLS. 

Crazed by rum, bewildered with snow, 

Blindly he went on his way; 
Not e'en when the cold, dark river was reached 

Did his staggering footsteps stay. 

A splash! a scream! a cry for help! — 

The hurrying tread of eager feet. 
In the snow and the sleet of the dark, murky morn, 

A dead man was carried tlirough the city street. 

When daylight came they found the boy 
Half-buried in the cold, damp snow. ' 

Tenderly the}'^ lifted his frail form up; 
They pitied tlie drunkard's boy now. 

They carried him home all cold and white. 

And reverently laid him down. 
They tried to bring warmth to his stiffened limbs, 

But the boy's sweet spirit had flown. 

Go with' me now to that widow's home, 

And ask her to tell of the dead. 
She'll mournfully raise her eyes to your face, 

Then sadly bow her head. 

And she'll take your hand and lead you along 

To the grave-yard over the way. 
"There are the graves of my husl)an(l and boy; 

Rum killed thon both,'^ she'll say. 

And a pitiful look of utter despair 

Creeps over that pale, sad face ; 
And a wild, crazed look comes into her eyes 

As she leaves that hallowed place. 

And you men look on in your wealth and ease, 

With never a prayer nor thought 
For the desolate homes, the blighted lives, 

And the ruin Avhich rum has wrought. 



GATHKRED I'KARLS. 



89 



You never lift a hand to check this wrong 
That sweeps through our sunny hind; 

While tlie monster Rum with his poisonous hrcath 
Destroys on every hand — 

Sending souls to untimely deaths, 

Filling the drunkard's grave. 
Reach forth your hand, indifferent man, 

And SLH'k those lost souls to save. 

LlJ.LIAS CUAM. 




¥j^0 



(rije 5noui-S"tonu. 

The cold winds swept the mountain height, 
And pathless was the dreary wild, 

As through the drifting snows of night 
A mother wandered with her child; 



40 



GATHERED PEARLI 



As through the drifting snow she passed, 
Her habe was sleeping on her breast. 

And colder yet the winds did blow, 
And darker hours of night came on, 

And deeper grew^ the drifted snow. 

Her limbs were chilled, her strength was gone, 

"0 God!" she cried in accents wild, 
"If I must perish, save my child!" 

She stri})ped her mantle from her breast, 

And bared her bosom to the storm; 
And round the child she wrapped the vest, 

And smiled to think her babe was warm! 
And one cold kiss, one tear she shed, 

And sank upon a snowy bed. 

At dawn a traveler passed by ; 

She lay beneath a snowy veil; 
The frost of death was in her eye. 

Her cheek was cold and hard and pale. 
He moved the robe from off the child, 

The babe looked up and sweetly smiled. 

Mrs. Seba Smith. 




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